Leasing Option’s Top Ten Family Cars
10 April 2022Finding the perfect car for your family is perhaps one of the most difficult things to do as a parent. There are a lot of things to consider: size, boot space, running costs and reliability, to name just a few. Now, of course, there is also the question of how eco-friendly your new vehicle is going to be.
So, we have put together a straight-forward list to help you break down your priorities, and find the vehicle that will suit you and your family best.
SMALL SUV’S
Vehicles that the industry is calling Small SUV’s (Small Sport Utility Vehicles), or Crossover car, have become more and more popular over the last few years. It is easy to see why so many people are opting for these, as they can offer more boot space and greater drive comfort than classic ‘family hatchbacks.’
Here are some of our top Small SUV picks:
Best Overall
WhatCar’s winner of best overall car 2020, the Ford Puma certainly gives you a lot to be grateful for. The mild hybrid engine – something you’d only usually get from a much pricier vehicle – means it can accelerate competitively without costing you a bomb in fuel. The storage space is excellent, with room for a total of 8 carry-on suitcase when the boot floor has been lowered. Though the rear leg room leaves something to be desired, we are confident this is something that the exceptionally smooth handling makes up for.
Best Value
Comfort is king with this great Small SUV. The interior both feels and looks plush, and it even has a panoramic sunroof for those times when you just want a brighter, more exciting drive. With large rear doors for taking children in and out with ease, this is certainly one of the finest vehicles in its price range for family use.
LARGE SUV’S
Best Overall
This SUV is perfect for families in practical ways but also has the more upmarket attributes that Audi prides themselves on. You can travel in comfort effortlessly while feeling safe in the knowledge that if you want a bit if excitement when you’ve dropped the kids off, you can switch it to sports mode for a completely different driving experience.
Best Value
This absolutely classic choice of family SUV now comes in two different plugin hybrid models, which is perfect for shorter journeys around town. Unbeatable on price considering its size and capabilities, most on the hunt for a family SUV don’t need to look much further than the XC60.
MPV’s
More and more families are opting for the greater space and flexibility offered by Multi-Purpose Vehicles – especially now there are so many new, good value MPV’s arriving on the market. Offering as much – or more – space than large SUV’s under a vastly more affordable price tag, you really could do worse than to invest in one of the below. A bonus of leasing one of these vehicles is that you don’t have to commit to an MPV long-term – only while the needs of the kids demand one.
Best Overall
With an exceptionally plush feel – especially for the price tag, which can be as low at the £20,000 mark – and even more practicality features than its competitors, this has as much space as you could want from any seven-seater MPV. Best of all – the Berlingo really doesn’t ‘look like a van’.
Another Great Choice
Vauxhall has been very quick to advertise this to consumers as a car rather than just a converted van – and that is where it differs from the Berlingo. Slightly pricier, the Combo Life is offered in both and five and seven-seater models, and stands out for its comfort. Though it loses points for having a more van-like appearance, it does have just about as much space per pound as you could expect from any vehicle.
TRADITIONAL ‘FAMILY HATCHBACKS’
Quietest Drive
If you’re looking for peace and quiet on a long, windy motor-way journey, as well as an exceptionally stylish makeup, the Mazda 3 may just be the car for you. Great fuel-efficiency is also a plus, as is the top-of-the-range entertainment system.
Eco-Friendly Option
This was WhatCar’s hybrid of the year. Combining a very affordable price tag with up-to-date technology, the Corolla is a brilliant choice for families looking for something that won’t break the bank like a pure-petrol car, but has greater range than a pure electric.
Best Looking
Spanning the market gap between the standard family hatchbacks and more up-market makes like Audi, BMW and Mercedes, almost anyone would be happy to be seen driving a Golf. The new Golf – 8th generation in a long line of popular hatchback vehicles – now offers mild hybrid assistance for greater savings on fuel. And the front and rear space are both more generous than all the Golf’s upmarket competitors.
Wild Card
This car really packs a punch, despite being less well-known than some of its competitors. With 5-star handling, this offers more rear space than most hatchbacks and can’t be beaten on price. Though you feel more impacts than you would in a Golf, considering the vastly lower price it would be hard to argue with the benefits of the Leon.
One thing you can always rely on is your kids growing up. And as families grow and change, your vehicle needs will as well.
Leasing really can be a great way of changing your car with circumstances, offering you greater range within your budget than you might be able to afford when buying outright. Our highly experienced customer services team are happy to chat through all your needs to offer you a personalised leasing deal on the car that’s right for you.
So don’t hesitate to get in touch to learn more.